How To: Keep Up In A Jazz Conversation

Here's Something To Talk About Tonight

Straight-ahead jazz: This is what you’ll hear at the real jazz clubs today, not those clubs catering to tourists. Big musicians like Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, and Jessica Williams continue to play these places and mix with younger upcoming players.

Moldy figs: That's the name for purist advocates of early jazz before bebop. They can be lame blowhards, but often know lots of interesting facts about the beginnings of jazz.

Birdbrain: This isn't a term for a stupid person in jazz clubs; it's for a person who imitates Charlie Parker too closely.

Combo: This is the term for a combination of musicians from 3 to 10, mostly smaller numbers in today's clubs.

Jazz at Lincoln Center: Huge, important complex for jazz built in New York City. Anybody with lots of money goes to see jazz there — and only the biggest artists perform.

Baker's Keyboard Lounge: A Detroit venue opened in 1934; it’s the longest-running jazz club in the world. It’s become a right of passage to play here.

what not to say

Stick to talking about the jazz musicians. When you begin mixing in crossover jazz vocalists like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday you can quickly get into deep, sticky arguments. It’s not because jazz fans necessarily hate these big stars and there is no doubt they were very talented; however, these names tend to overshadow all other jazz. You’ll hear sorority girls claim they love jazz because they heard a couple Holiday songs or will play Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World."

Most hardcore fans focus on the instrumentation, not the voices. Of course, Armstrong (aka "Satchmo") was also an innovative cornet and trumpet player, but his popularity as the "raspy-voiced guy" can make him a Pandora’s box of discussion.

start jazz debates

Possibly more than any other music fans, jazz fans love to argue about their genre. This is great for a newcomer because you can begin a debate, then just sit back and listen. It's probably the best way to sound like you know what you’re talking about and actually learn more than you know. Say things like:

“Why isn’t jazz more popular in New York?”

“Miles Davis, genius or asshole?”

“If Oprah featured jazz on her show more, do you think housewives would flood clubs?”

construct your jazz persona

Because there are so many different definitions of jazz and movements, many jazz lovers will pick a certain area of focus. Once you listen to a few of the major artists, focus in on your favorite style: Modal, Hard Bop, Cool Jazz, and so on. Know all the big artists, songs and albums in that area and you’re set. When you don’t know what someone is talking about, just say: "Well, I listen mostly to (fill in the blank)." It’s just like talking about metal with someone who only listens to punk. They’re not going to know all the artists, but they'll have a grasp of the style.